Canada Jay Named National Bird

Summary#

This bill would make the Canada jay the national bird of Canada. It is a short, symbolic act with two clauses: a short title and the declaration of the national bird. It does not change any other laws, programs, or budgets.

• Recognizes the Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) as Canada’s national bird (National bird).
• Takes effect on Royal Assent; there is no delayed start date (Bill text).
• Creates no new programs, fees, or penalties (Bill text).
• Does not change species protection, hunting rules, or habitat policy (Bill text).
• Notes cultural and geographic reasons in a preamble, including presence in all 10 provinces and 3 territories (Preamble).

What it means for you#

• Households and visitors:

  • The federal government may refer to the Canada jay as the national bird in publications and events after Royal Assent (National bird).
  • No changes to daily life, taxes, or services (Bill text).

• Workers:

  • No new obligations for employees in any sector (Bill text).
  • Federal communicators can cite the Canada jay as the national bird once in force (National bird).

• Businesses:

  • No new compliance rules or reporting (Bill text).
  • No required changes to marketing, labels, logos, or signage (Bill text).

• Local governments and schools:

  • No mandated changes to curricula, emblems, or materials (Bill text).
  • Any use of the national bird in local materials would be optional (Bill text).

• Indigenous communities:

  • The preamble acknowledges Indigenous names, including the Cree term wîskicahk and “whiskey jack” (Preamble).
  • The bill does not create rights, obligations, or language requirements (Bill text).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable; the bill includes no appropriations or mandates (Bill text).

• Appropriations in the bill: None (Bill text).
• New taxes, fees, or fines: None (Bill text).
• Administrative costs (e.g., updating web pages or style guides): Data unavailable.
• Fiscal note or official cost estimate: No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Canada lacks an official bird, while over 100 countries have one; this fills that gap (Preamble).
• The Canada jay breeds in all 10 provinces and 3 territories and lives year-round in cold climates, which proponents say makes it representative of Canada (Preamble).
• The species is not endangered, hunted, or a nuisance, and is known for traits such as intelligence and curiosity that supporters view as admirable (Preamble).
• The bird has strong support from naturalists, birdwatchers, and ornithologists across Canada, according to the preamble (Preamble).
• The Canada jay is not already an official symbol of any other country, province, territory, or state, reducing duplication (Preamble).

Opponents' View#

• The bill is purely symbolic and creates no practical benefits because it only declares a national bird and adds no programs or protections (National bird; Bill text).
• It does not include conservation or habitat measures, so the designation does not change the species’ legal status or management (Bill text).
• The Act provides no guidance on use or display standards, which could lead to inconsistent use across departments (Assumption; Bill text).
• The species has multiple common names (e.g., “grey jay,” “whiskey jack”); critics may say using “Canada jay” could create naming confusion (Preamble).
• Any government updates to materials would be discretionary; potential minor costs are not scoped or budgeted (Assumption; Bill text; no fiscal note).